Zucchini besan sabji, a dry vegetable Indian recipe with zucchini and besan or gram flour.
Confession: for the longest time, I thought zucchini was another type of cucumber that’s only used in raita and salads. I didn’t even know the Indian name for zucchini having never seen this vegetable in Kerala or even Hyderabad.
It seems zucchini is actually a fruit, not a vegetable, and is closely related to ridge gourd, a popular vegetable in India.
Anyway, I wanted try an Indian recipe with Zucchini and went with the easiest option – a quick and simple sabji with besan. Also check out Indian potato fry (no onion, no garlic), yam fry, and sesame tofu recipe.
This is a no-onion no-garlic, Jain friendly recipe.
Zucchini Besan Sabji
Ingredients
- 2 zucchini peeled, washed and cut into small cubes (about 3 cups)
- 3 tbsp of besan / Bengal gram flour
- 1 tsp of red chilli powder
- 1/4 tsp of turmeric powder
- 1/8 tsp of hing / asafoetida
- 1 tsp of rice flour optional
- Salt to taste
- 1-2 tbsp of oil
- 1 tsp of cumin seeds / jeera
- 1/4 tsp of mustard seeds
- A few curry leaves
Instructions
- Add the besan, salt, chilli powder, turmeric, rice flour (if using), and hing to the cubed zucchini.
- Mix well with fingertips until the zucchini pieces are well coated in the mixture. Set aside.
- Heat oil in a pan and add the mustard seeds and cumin.
- When the mustard pops and the cumin sizzles, add the curry leaves and the zucchini mixture.
- Mix well until the zucchini pieces are coated in oil.
- Cook on low flame, stirring occasionally, until the pieces are cooked soft. Add salt.
- If you don't peel the zucchini, the pieces will hold their shape and will be firmer, so it's up to you how you want it to turn out.
- Serve hot.
Serve zucchini beasan sabji hot with steamed rice or chapatis.
Do you have any favourite Indian zucchini recipes? Do share in the comment box below!
For zucchini besan sabji recipe in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Urdu etc please use the Google translate button in the sidebar.
Great recipe…Hubby always wanted this recipe for zucchini 🙂
I tried this one, and everyone loved it. My younger son who rarely likes veggies loved it!! Thanks for such an easy, quick and tasty recipe!
Great recipe! First time here on your blog !
hey actually we don't get to eat zucchini flowers as much, but pumpkin flowers are really a rage.they are deep fried zucchini flowers ,we cook them in curry too
I always made this kind of subji with capsicum. After looking at yours, tried it with courgettes, it turned out well. Thank you!
Made your version and "anonymous" version. Both turned out yummy. The curry version is good with chapathi and your version I liked with plain rice. Thank you both.
wow! thanks for trying both the zucchini recipes and leaving a note. I will try Eve's version very soon 🙂
I love zucchini and my mom makes it as a curry and it tastes yum with rice. I dont comment usually but I've tried some recipes after checking out your site and they were delish!!! When you asked for another Indian way of cooking zucchini, I said I have to write now 🙂
So here's how we do it at home – First tempering with mustard seeds, urad dhal & jeera, then add chopped onion & tomato, ginger & garlic paste. Add tiny bit of turmeric powder & sambhar powder according to taste. Add your cubed zucchini and add some water, now cover & cook. In the end, add a little bit of coconut cream for some thickness and some salt to taste.
Hope it interests you 🙂
Happy Cooking as always!
Eves
Thanks for the lovely zucchini recipe 🙂 Will surely try the next time I buy them
Looks yummy and I'm looking forward to try that. It really makes me drool.
I usually use the besan masala combination for cauliflower, but this should be great too. Have you tried zucchini soup – its delicious
mouthwatering ..